Light projector



E. J. wHALEN LIGHT PROJECTOR Jan. 9, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 24, 1938 V INV ENTOR.

Jan. 9, 1940. E, J, WHALEN 2,186,439

LIGHT PROJECTOR Filed Jan, 24. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N v I j. I' v t y lon. v ll BY K Patented Jan. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to light projectors or lamps, such as head lamps for motor vehicles, and the like, and has for its object a reflector construction comprising a. main reflector zone and one or more circumferential auxiliary reflector zones, which reflect light rays back onto the central or main reflector zone, where they `are projected out in the main beam.

It further has for its object a lamp socket and holder by which the lampand lamp socket may be removed, as a unit, from the rear end of the reflector or the lamp, for the purpose of replacing a burned out lamp bulb.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a lamp embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of parts seen in Figure 1, showing the construction by which the lamp bulb and holder are removable as a unit.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the support within the lamp for the parts seen in Figure 2.

I designates the shell or casing' of the lamp, which may be of any suitable form, size and construction, it having a glass or lens 2 at its front end. 3 designates the reflector as a whole. I'his includes a rear main zone or section 4, which is preferably parabolic or of such curvature as to project the light rays in nearly parallel lines as possible. It also includes one or more auxiliary reflectors, as 5 and 6, arranged one in 'front of the other in front of the focal plane P, these reilectors 5 and 6` being annular or extending circumferentially of the reflector and located outside of the path of the light rays of the main beam projected from the main reflector 4. The auxiliary reflectors 5, 6 are spherically curved and of greater radius from the focus F than the main reector and the front reflector 6 being of greater a radius than the reflector 5. 'Ihe reflector 3 is suitably mounted in the shell I.

'I designates the lamp having a suitable illament, and 8 the base of the lamp. The lamp is so mounted that its source of light -or filament is so located that the greatest portion thereof is as near as possible to the focus F. In order to effect this result, it is usually located slightly in advance of the focus F.

Some of the light rays projected directly from the source of light pass directly from the source (Cl. 240-44.Z)

at diiferent radial angles out through the lens 2. Other'rays projected from the source of light pass at greater radial angles and strike the reflectors 5, 6. Other rays of light strike the main reflector 4 and are projected in nearly parallel 5 lines therefrom to the lens 2.

It has been estimated that fty percent of the light passes in a beam through the lens 2 either directly from the source of light or indirectly from the main reflector 4; that thirty-five per- 10 cent of the light passes at such angles as to strike the reflectors 5, 6 and that with ordinary reflectors without the reflector zones 5, 6 is dissipated and uncontrollable; and that fifteen percent of the light rays are absorbed by the glass or 15 lens 2.

The purpose of the auxiliary reflectors 5, Ii is to recover or control the thirty-five percent andl redirect it back into the main beam.

In operation, the light raysstrike the main 20 reflector 4 and are projected outwardly in a beam of parallel lines or nearly parallel lines that the light rays striking the reflectors 5, 6 are reected back onto the main reflector 4 and projected outwardly in the main beam in nearly parallel 25 lines, so that eighty-live percent of the available light is collected in the main beam.

The means by which the lamp may be removed comprises a lamp socket II for receiving the base 8 of the lamp carriage including a tubular cup- 30 shaped part I2 surrounding and rigid with the lamp socket I I and telescoping with a complemental cup-shaped part I3 having a front Wall I4 forming a continuation of the reflector 4 or forming the central portion of the' reflector 4, 35 these parts being mounted in a tubular stem I5 extending coaxially of the casing I and securedy thereto at I5, and also secured to the reflector 4 at I1. They are held in position by a cap I8 threading on the end of the stem I5 and pressing against a bracket I9 rigid with the cup-shaped part I2 of the carriage. A suitable cushion or gasket 20 is interposed between the cap I8 and the bracket I9. 'I'he lamp socket is adjustable axially by means of a screw 2I extending through 5 the bracket I9 and threading in a lug 22 on the lamp socket I I, the screw having a suitable collar 23 thereon for holding it from endwise movement during turning thereof. The lampsocket is provided with suitable wire terminals 24 'for the feed 50 wires 25. 'I'he front end of the sternr I5 is split or made' expansible or contractile by splitting .at 2B and is formed with a peripheral groove 21 for receiving the margin at 28 of the reflector zone 4.

This construction is such that the front end 55 5 before reapplying the cap 18.

What I claim is:

In a. light projector, an outer shell, a. reector in the shell having a rearwardly extending tubular stem at the rear end thereof, the stem being 1 secured to the rear end of the shell and projecting through the same, a. lamp socket carriage including front and rear cup-shaped parts telescoping one within the other, the front part having its bottom wall forming a. continuation of the reflector zone, a. lamp socket carried by the carriage, the tubular stem being of larger diameter than the lamp bulb to permit the lamp socket and lamp bulb to be removed as a, unit with the carriage through the rear end of the reflector and the shell, means for adjusting the lamp socket axially of the carriage and the reflector and operable from the rear end of the tubular stem, and a. retaining member on the projecting end of the tubular stem for holding the lamp socket and the carriage from displacement.

EDWARD J. WHALEN. 

